The Syrian oud is one of the most admired branches of the Arabic oud family — known for vibrant overtones, a rich singing sustain and exceptionally fine detailing. The tradition was shaped in nineteenth-century Damascus, above all by the Nahhat family of luthiers, and a well-made Syrian oud still carries that voice today. At Sala Muzik we set up and inspect a range of Syrian ouds, from forgiving handmade beginner instruments to premium handcrafted models, every one checked and tuned before it ships.
Quick Recommendation — Beginners: the Syrian Quality Oud ASO-108 ($399) — handmade, walnut bowl, spruce face. Stepping up: Syrian Oud ASO-108M ($449) for a fuller, more developed voice. Premium handcrafted: Premium Syrian Oud SALA-S8 ($899) for the rich, singing Syrian sustain.
Quick picks by player type
The oud family — explore the other types
The Syrian oud is one branch of a wider family. If you are still deciding, compare it with the related traditions and shapes:
Arabic OudLarger body · deep, full tone · Arabic maqam Turkish OudSmaller body · brighter, higher tuning Electric OudBuilt-in pickup · stage + silent practice All OudsThe complete oud collection Oud AccessoriesStrings, cases, risha picks, pickups
Syrian vs Turkish oud — which one to start with?
The Syrian oud belongs to the Arabic oud family: larger, tuned lower, with a deep and resonant voice. A Turkish oud is smaller and tuned about a step higher for a brighter, more articulate tone. Choose by the music you want to play and the sound you want in your hands.
| Feature | Syrian Oud | Turkish Oud |
|---|---|---|
| Family | Arabic oud branch | Turkish tradition |
| Body | Larger, fuller bowl | Slightly smaller bowl |
| Tuning | Lower, Arabic tuning | About a step higher |
| Tone | Deep, vibrant, rich sustain | Bright, focused, articulate |
| Best music | Arabic maqam, Levantine repertoire | Turkish classical and folk |
| Best for | Players wanting a rich, singing voice | Players of Turkish repertoire |
Full breakdown in our blog: Choosing the Right Oud — A Guide to Types, Styles and What to Look For.
What makes a quality Syrian oud
Four things separate a starter Syrian oud from a professional instrument: tonewoods, the bowl, the fretless neck, and setup.
- Tonewoods — a solid spruce face over a walnut, plane or mahogany bowl is the standard. Tight, even grain and well-aged wood are what give the Syrian oud its vibrant overtones.
- The bowl — the Syrian bowl is generous and built from many thin ribs. Clean, gapless joinery gives the deep, resonant projection the Syrian style is known for, and keeps the instrument stable.
- Fretless fingerboard — usually ebony, and it must be true and smooth. With no frets, the fingerboard sets the intonation directly.
- Pegs and setup — well-fitted ebony pegs hold tune; accurate string action keeps the oud comfortable to play. Every Syrian oud we ship is set up and tuned first.
A short history
The Syrian oud belongs to the Arabic oud family but earned its own reputation in nineteenth-century Damascus, above all through the Nahhat family of luthiers. The Nahhat brothers are credited with refining the oud's elegant pear shape and its exceptional sonority, selecting and ageing wood with unusual care and studying how different woods sing. Syrian makers have carried that tradition forward, and to this day a Syrian oud is prized for vibrant overtones and a rich, singing sustain that suits Arabic maqam and Levantine repertoire.
FAQ
What makes a Syrian oud different?
The Syrian oud is a branch of the Arabic oud family, shaped by the Damascus luthier tradition of the Nahhat family. It is known for especially vibrant overtones and a rich, singing sustain, with a generous bowl and fine detailing. It is tuned and played like an Arabic oud.
Is the Syrian oud a good instrument for beginners?
Yes. Because the oud is fretless, beginners build ear and intonation naturally from the first lesson. A well-set-up handmade Syrian oud such as the ASO-108 is comfortable to fret and already sounds genuinely musical, so early practice is rewarding rather than frustrating.
What is the difference between a Syrian and a Turkish oud?
A Syrian oud is part of the Arabic oud family — larger, tuned lower, with a deep and resonant voice suited to maqam music. A Turkish oud is smaller and tuned about a step higher for a bright, articulate tone suited to Turkish repertoire. Neither is harder to learn — the choice is musical.
How is a Syrian oud tuned?
A Syrian oud uses Arabic tuning, commonly C-G-D-A-G-C from the lowest course to the highest. Many players tune a Syrian oud a half or whole step down; the lower string tension still keeps it bright and balanced. We carry string sets for Arabic and Syrian tuning.
Will my Syrian oud arrive ready to play?
It is strung, set up and inspected by our specialists before dispatch and ships well protected, but it will almost certainly need re-tuning on arrival. An oud rarely holds its tuning through a long journey — string tension shifts in transit. That is completely normal, not a fault or shipping damage.
How much does a good Syrian oud cost?
A reliable, well-set-up handmade Syrian oud starts around $400, with a developed step-up instrument near $450. Premium handcrafted Syrian ouds run from roughly $900 upward. Every Syrian oud at Sala Muzik is inspected and tuned before shipping.
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